Boehner Turns Down invitation to Installation of Pope Francis

Joe Biden, Vice-President and Catholic, will head up the U.S. delegation to attend the installation of Pope Francis at the Vatican. Biden has asked John Boehner, Republican Speaker of the House, and also a Catholic, to join him.

“I am grateful for the invitation to attend the papal investiture in Rome with Vice President Biden, and would like to be able to join the trip,” Boehner responded. “Unfortunately, my duties in the House next week – including hosting President Obama and the Prime Minister of Ireland at the Capitol on Tuesday, and the debate on the budget – make that impossible.”

He added: “I wish the Vice President all the best in his journey, and hope he communicates the prayers and warm regards of every American, especially Catholics, to the first pope from the Americas.”

I add my name to the long list of other political writers who have seen no leadership from the Speaker. With the exception of speaking to the press, he appears to do little else.

It might be a good thing to get him out of Washington for a while. If he’s not the solution, he might be the problem.